The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) made it clear on Wednesday that its leadership had no plans of calling on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her proposed visit to the Darjeeling hills next month; a clear indication that the party which is at loggerheads with the State government at present has no intention of budging from its stance.
“Our stand is clear; we shall not be talking to her (Ms. Banerjee) or the State government as the issue at stake (the demand for a separate State of Gorkhaland) is outside the State’s domain,” GJM spokesperson Harka Bahadur Chettri told The Hindu over telephone, shortly after a meeting of the party’s central committee and its frontal organisations.
This will mean that Ms. Banerjee’s visit could turn out to be quite unlike her previous visits when the reception accorded to her was warm. “Gorkhaland and Bimal Gurung are synonymous. The day I leave Gorkhaland, it would mean my life would end. Separation from Bengal is the ultimate goal,” Mr. Gurung posted on a social networking website.
However, the GJM leadership remains hopeful that the Centre will be amenable to talks with it.
